We work with a collective of artisans led by a third-generation Shigaraki-yaki maker, based in Shigaraki-cho, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
As one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, Shigaraki ware dates back centuries and is distinguished by its rustic aesthetic and natural firing effects. The clay, rich in feldspar, produces textured surfaces and warm, earthy tones, often enhanced by ash deposits from wood firing. These natural ash deposits—formed as ash settles and melts onto the surface during firing—create subtle, unrepeatable variations unique to each piece.
Rather than pursuing perfect uniformity, Shigaraki ware embraces irregularity—gentle warping, ash markings, and tonal shifts—reflecting a sensibility closely aligned with wabi, where beauty is found in the unrefined and impermanent.
